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Are there Undiscovered Elements Beyond The Periodic Table?

PBS Space Time・15 minutes read

Fictional elements and gaps in the periodic table spark curiosity about undiscovered elements, with Technetium being the first artificial element created in 1937. Elements' stability is determined by the balance of protons and neutrons, showcasing the practical applications of artificial elements in various fields.

Insights

  • The existence of fictional elements like adamantium and Kryptonite sparks fascination, but the periodic table's structure, based on protons in the nucleus, raises doubts about their real-world presence.
  • Technetium, the first artificial element, showcases the potential for undiscovered elements, with practical applications in fields like medical imaging and nuclear reactors, emphasizing the significance of artificial elements in scientific advancements and innovation.

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Recent questions

  • What are some fictional elements with miraculous properties?

    Fictional elements like adamantium, bolognium, and dilithium, as well as Element Zero, Kryptonite, Mythril, Netherite, Orichalcum, and Unobtanium captivate us with their miraculous properties. These elements are often featured in literature, movies, and games, showcasing unique characteristics that defy the laws of physics and add an element of fantasy to storytelling.

  • How was the first artificial element created?

    The first artificial element, Technetium, was created by Emilio Segrè and Carlo Perrier in 1937 using a particle accelerator. This marked a significant milestone in the field of chemistry, demonstrating that elements could be synthesized in a laboratory setting rather than being naturally occurring. Technetium, though unstable, has practical applications in various fields, highlighting the importance of artificial elements in scientific research and technology.

  • What contributes to the stability of an atomic nucleus?

    The stability of an atomic nucleus depends on the balance between protons and neutrons, with the strong nuclear force and electromagnetism playing crucial roles. Nuclei prefer to have even numbers of protons or protons plus neutrons due to nuclear pairing interactions. Magic numbers for neutrons and protons also contribute to nuclear stability, with elements closer to these numbers being more stable. Understanding these factors is essential in studying the behavior of elements and isotopes.

  • What are the practical applications of elements beyond the periodic table?

    The discovery of elements beyond the periodic table, like Technetium and Sugdenium, has practical applications in various fields such as medical imaging and nuclear reactors. These artificial elements play a crucial role in advancing technology and scientific research, showcasing the importance of exploring new frontiers in chemistry. Sugdenium, for example, named after Glenn Sugden, is mildly radioactive, crucial for low-temperature fusion, and useful in medical imaging, highlighting the diverse applications of artificial elements.

  • What is the Copernican principle and its criticism?

    Eliyah Zayin criticizes the Copernican principle, suggesting that someone has to be first in the universe, leading to contentious anthropic reasoning discussions. This criticism challenges the idea that Earth and humanity are not unique in the universe, raising questions about our place in the cosmos and the potential implications of being the first civilization. Tristan Cleveland further explores the concept, highlighting the complexities of life arising multiple times and the implications of humanity being viewed as the ancients by future civilizations in a fully colonized universe.

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Summary

00:00

"Artificial Elements: Uncovering the Periodic Table"

  • Fictional elements like adamantium, bolognium, and dilithium, as well as Element Zero, Kryptonite, Mythril, Netherite, Orichalcum, and Unobtanium, captivate us with their miraculous properties.
  • The periodic table defines elements by the number of protons in the atomic nucleus, leading to skepticism about the existence of new elements.
  • Gaps in the periodic table have been observed, hinting at the potential for undiscovered elements.
  • The first artificial element, Technetium, was created by Emilio Segrè and Carlo Perrier in 1937 using a particle accelerator.
  • Technetium, though unstable, is produced in nature in the core of massive stars but is absent on Earth due to its instability.
  • All elements, not just heavy ones like uranium and plutonium, have unstable isotopes.
  • The stability of an atomic nucleus depends on the balance between protons and neutrons, with the strong nuclear force and electromagnetism playing crucial roles.
  • Nuclei prefer to have even numbers of protons or protons plus neutrons due to nuclear pairing interactions.
  • Magic numbers for neutrons and protons contribute to nuclear stability, with elements closer to these numbers being more stable.
  • The discovery of elements beyond the periodic table, like Technetium, has practical applications such as in medical imaging and nuclear reactors, showcasing the importance of artificial elements in various fields.

15:57

"New Element Sugdenium and Universe's First"

  • Sugdenium, element 267, named after Glenn Sugden, is mildly radioactive, crucial for low-temperature fusion, and useful in medical imaging, glowing violet. Glenn will receive a gram once invented.
  • Eliyah Zayin criticizes the Copernican principle, suggesting that someone has to be first in the universe, leading to contentious anthropic reasoning discussions.
  • Tristan Cleveland highlights the difficulty of life arising multiple times due to the dominance of the first incident, proposing that new civilizations may be precluded in a fully colonized universe, potentially leading to humanity being viewed as the ancients by future civilizations.
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